WHAT:
Opening speech at Paris Climate Agreement signing ceremony at the UN General Assembly Hall, in the presence of delegations from more than 170 countries, including over 60 Heads of State. Getrude will focus on why climate action is crucial for children.

WHEN:
Friday, 22 April 2016

BACKGROUND:
On April 22, world leaders will meet at United Nations Headquarters in New York to sign the Paris Climate Agreement – a historic environmental accord to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support poorer countries in coping with the effects of extreme weather.

The event will also feature #ClimateChain, an Instagram photo exhibit that UNICEF launched on World Water Day asking children and grown-ups from around the world to have their photo taken in front of places they want to protect. Children and young people will also form a climate chain at the General Assembly Hall.

Add 'unicef' on Snapchat for live coverage of the day's events.

FAST FACTS

More than half a billion children live in areas with extremely high flood occurrence.

Nearly 160 million children live in areas of high or extremely high drought severity.

Climate change means more droughts, floods, heatwaves and other severe weather conditions. These events can cause death and devastation, and can also contribute to the spread of major killers of children, such as malnutrition, malaria and diarrhoea.

A child deprived of adequate water and sanitation before a crisis will be more affected by a flood, drought, or severe storm, less likely to recover quickly.

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About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org.